U.S. patent application number 13/105620 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for pressure regulator with remotely controlled shut-off valve.
This patent application is currently assigned to NELSON IRRIGATION CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Lee A. PERKINS, Cliff P. UNGERECHT.
Application Number | 20120285557 13/105620 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47141056 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120285557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
UNGERECHT; Cliff P. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
PRESSURE REGULATOR WITH REMOTELY CONTROLLED SHUT-OFF VALVE
Abstract
A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a main
fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end. A tubular
plunger body is supported within the housing assembly for linear
movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid
pressure at said outlet end. An actuator sleeve is supported within
the housing assembly and engaged with the tubular plunger body, and
a pressure chamber defined in part by a shut-off diaphragm extends
between the housing assembly and the actuator sleeve. A fluid port
is arranged to supply pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber to
thereby produce linear movement of the actuator sleeve and the
tubular plunger body independent of the pressure at said outlet
end, moving the tubular plunger body into engagement with the valve
seat to shut off the flow path.
Inventors: |
UNGERECHT; Cliff P.; (Walla
Walla, WA) ; PERKINS; Lee A.; (Lowden, WA) |
Assignee: |
NELSON IRRIGATION
CORPORATION
Walla Walla
WA
|
Family ID: |
47141056 |
Appl. No.: |
13/105620 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/528 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/7808 20150401;
Y10T 137/7904 20150401; G05D 16/2095 20190101; Y10T 137/7782
20150401; F16K 1/126 20130101; F16K 1/123 20130101; G05D 16/0608
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/528 |
International
Class: |
F16K 1/34 20060101
F16K001/34 |
Claims
1. A pressure regulator comprising: a housing assembly defining a
main fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end; a tubular
plunger body supported within said housing assembly for linear
movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid
pressure at said outlet end; an actuator sleeve supported within
said housing assembly and engaged with said tubular plunger body; a
pressure chamber defined in part by a shut-off diaphragm extending
between said housing assembly and said actuator sleeve; a fluid
port arranged to supply pressurized fluid to said pressure chamber
to thereby produce linear movement of said actuator sleeve and said
tubular plunger body independent of the pressure at said outlet
end, moving said tubular plunger body into engagement with said
valve seat to shut off said flow path.
2. The pressure regulator of claim 1 wherein, upon evacuation of
pressurized fluid from said pressure chamber, a spring located
within said housing assembly causes reverse movement of said
actuator sleeve and tubular plunger body away from said valve seat
to thereby open said main fluid flow path.
3. The pressure regulator of claim 2 wherein, when said actuator
sleeve is in a valve-open position, said tubular plunger body is
free to move toward or away from said valve seat solely in response
to fluid pressure at said outlet end.
4. The pressure regulator of claim 1 wherein said tubular plunger
body is spring-biased in a direction away from said valve seat.
5. The pressure regulator of claim 1 wherein a control diaphragm is
supported radially between said tubular plunger body and said
housing assembly, and wherein said control diaphragm is exposed on
one side to the fluid pressure at said outlet end to thereby exert
a force on said tubular plunger body in a direction toward said
valve seat.
6. The pressure regulator of claim 1 wherein said housing assembly
includes a housing body comprised of upstream and downstream ends
on either side of a larger-diameter middle section, and wherein an
annular seal is located between an upper end of said actuator
sleeve and said downstream end of said housing body.
7. The pressure regulator of claim 5 wherein said tubular plunger
body is provided with plural, axially-extending spring fingers in
an annular array, said plural, axially-extending spring fingers
formed with respective radially outwardly extending support tabs at
free ends thereof, said actuator sleeve formed at its upper end
with an annular rim supported on said radially outwardly extending
support tabs.
8. The pressure regulator of claim 1 wherein said housing assembly
comprises a lower housing body and a cap, said cap having a
threaded portion at said outlet end, and an internal annular wall
receiving an upper end of said tubular plunger body.
9. The pressure regulator of claim 7 wherein said housing assembly
comprises a lower housing body and a cap, said cap having a
threaded portion at said outlet end, and an internal annular wall
receiving an upper end of said tubular plunger body, a radial
flange extending from said tubular plunger body, with said plural,
axially-extending spring fingers extending downwardly from said
radial flange.
10. The pressure regulator of claim 9 wherein a radially inner end
of said control diaphragm is held in place by an annular retention
ring; said radial flange formed with an annular upstanding wall,
terminating at a radially outwardly extending rim at an upper end
thereof, said rim engaged with said retention ring.
11. A pressure regulator comprising: a housing assembly defining a
fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end, said housing
assembly including a housing body and a cap secured to said lower
housing body; a tubular plunger body supported within said lower
housing body and said cap for linear movement toward and away from
a valve seat supported in said housing body in response to fluid
pressure at said outlet end; an actuator sleeve supported within
said housing body and adapted to engage said tubular plunger body;
and fluid means for driving said tubular plunger body linearly to
close off all flow through said housing assembly independent of the
fluid pressure at said outlet end.
12. The pressure regulator of claim 11 wherein said tubular plunger
body is spring-biased in a direction away from said valve seat.
13. The pressure regulator of claim 12 wherein a control diaphragm
is supported radially between said tubular plunger body and said
cap, and wherein said diaphragm is exposed on one side to fluid
pressure at said outlet end to thereby exert a force on said
tubular plunger body in a direction toward said valve seat.
14. The pressure regulator of claim 11 wherein said fluid means is
controlled remotely from the pressure regulator.
15. The pressure regulator of claim 11 wherein said tubular plunger
body is provided with plural, axially-extending spring fingers in
an annular array, said plural, axially-extending spring fingers
formed with respective radially outwardly extending tabs at free
ends thereof; an actuator sleeve formed at its upper end with an
annular rim supported on said radially outwardly extending tabs,
said actuator sleeve providing a surface acted upon by fluid
pressure exerted by said fluid means.
16. The pressure regulator of claim 15 wherein a shut-off diaphragm
extends between said actuator sleeve and said housing body.
17. The pressure regulator of claim 16 wherein said housing body
comprises upstream and downstream sections, said shut-off diaphragm
held in place at one end by a retention ring engaged with said
actuator sleeve and at an opposite end by a compression fit between
joined portions of said housing body.
18. A pressure regulator comprising: a housing assembly defining a
fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end; a tubular
plunger body supported within said housing assembly for linear
movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid
pressure at said outlet end; a control diaphragm supported radially
between said tubular plunger body and said housing assembly,
wherein said control diaphragm is exposed on one side to the fluid
pressure at said outlet end to thereby exert a force on said
tubular plunger body in a direction toward said valve seat; a
shut-off diaphragm extending between said housing assembly and said
actuator sleeve partially defining a pressure chamber; and a fluid
port arranged to supply pressurized fluid to said pressure chamber
to thereby produce linear movement of said actuator sleeve and said
tubular plunger body independent of the pressure at said outlet
end, moving said tubular plunger body into engagement with said
valve seat to a closed position, shutting off said flow path.
19. The pressure regulator of claim 18 wherein, upon evacuation of
pressurized fluid from said pressure chamber, a spring located
within said housing assembly causes reverse movement of said
actuator sleeve and tubular plunger body away from said valve seat
to thereby open said main fluid flow path.
20. The pressure regulator of claim 19 wherein, when said actuator
sleeve is in a valve-open position, said tubular plunger body is
free to move toward or away from said valve seat solely in response
to fluid pressure at said outlet end.
21. The pressure regulator of claim 18 wherein said tubular plunger
body is spring-biased in a direction away from said valve seat.
22. The pressure regulator of claim 18 wherein said housing
assembly includes a housing body comprised of upstream and
downstream ends on either side of a larger-diameter middle section,
and wherein an annular seal is located between an upper end of said
actuator sleeve and said downstream end of said housing body.
23. The pressure regulator of claim 18 wherein said tubular plunger
body is provided with plural, axially-extending spring fingers in
an annular array, said plural, axially-extending spring fingers
formed with respective radially outwardly extending support tabs at
free ends thereof, said actuator sleeve formed at its upper end
with an annular rim supported on said radially outwardly extending
support tabs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to valves and pressure regulators
generally, and specifically to a fluid pressure regulator
particularly suited for (but not limited to) use in agricultural
irrigation systems.
[0002] It is well known to use pressure regulators in irrigation
systems in order to provide substantially constant, regulated
outlet pressure over a wide range of regulator inlet pressures, to
thereby insure the supply of water is maintained at a substantially
uniform pressure to a sprinkler or other irrigation device. The
need for such regulators is particularly acute in low pressure
systems because even slight variations in pressure along a system
operating at low pressure causes much greater variations and
discharges than the same system operating at high pressure.
[0003] The assignee of this invention currently manufactures and
sells fluid pressure regulators of the flow-through type, having an
inlet at one end of a tubular housing and an outlet at the other
end of the tubular housing. A valve or regulator seat is fixed
within the housing and is adapted to be engaged by a tubular
plunger which is spring biased away from the seat (in the direction
of fluid flow) so that under normal conditions, maximum flow
through the regulator is permitted. In the event of a pressure
surge, the plunger is moved by back pressure within a diaphragm
chamber, against the action of an opposed coil spring (and against
atmospheric pressure), toward the regulator seat to thereby
decrease flow through the regulator until the pressure is reduced,
at which point the plunger will stop or, if pressure decreases
sufficiently, move upwardly away from the seat to thereby increase
the flow. In this way, the plunger constantly seeks an equilibrium
position within the regulator to maintain a substantially uniform
outlet pressure.
[0004] It would be advantageous to incorporate a remotely
controlled shut-off feature in pressure regulators as described
above in order to, for example, facilitate repair/replacement of
downstream sprinklers or other components, and/or to turn some
sprinklers on and off at various times in an automatic
multi-sprinkler system to implement desired sprinkling
patterns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one exemplary but nonlimiting embodiment, the invention
provides a pressure regulator comprising a housing assembly
defining a fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end; a
tubular plunger body supported within the housing assembly for
linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to
fluid pressure at the outlet end; an actuator sleeve supported
within the housing assembly and engaged with the tubular plunger
body; a pressure chamber defined in part by a shut-off diaphragm
extending between the housing assembly and the actuator sleeve; a
fluid port arranged to supply pressurized fluid to the pressure
chamber to thereby produce linear movement of the actuator sleeve
and the tubular plunger body independent of the pressure at the
outlet end, moving the tubular plunger body into engagement with
the valve seat to shut off the flow path.
[0006] In another exemplary but nonlimiting aspect, the invention
provides a pressure regulator comprising a housing assembly
defining a fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end, the
housing assembly including a housing body and a cap secured to the
lower housing body; a tubular plunger body supported within the
lower housing body and the cap for linear movement toward and away
from a valve seat supported in the housing body in response to
fluid pressure at the outlet end; an actuator sleeve supported
within the housing body and adapted to engage the tubular plunger
body; and fluid means for driving the tubular plunger body linearly
to close off all flow through the housing assembly independent of
the fluid pressure at the outlet end.
[0007] In still another exemplary but nonlimiting aspect, the
invention provides a pressure regulator comprising a housing
assembly defining a fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet
end; a tubular plunger body supported within the housing assembly
for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response
to fluid pressure at the outlet end; a control diaphragm supported
radially between the tubular plunger body and the housing assembly,
wherein the control diaphragm is exposed on one side to the fluid
pressure at the outlet end to thereby exert a force on the tubular
plunger body in a direction toward the valve seat; a shut-off
extending between the housing assembly and the actuator sleeve
partially defining a pressure chamber; and a fluid port arranged to
supply pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber to thereby produce
linear movement of the actuator sleeve and the tubular plunger body
independent of the pressure at the outlet end, moving the tubular
plunger body into engagement with the valve seat to a closed
position, shutting off the flow path.
[0008] An exemplary but nonlimiting embodiment will now be
described in detail in connection with the drawings identified
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross section of a pressure regulator in
accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, with
a remotely-operated shut-off feature shown in an open-position;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross section similar to FIG. 1 but showing the
remotely-operated shut-off feature in a closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The pressure regulator 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a
housing assembly formed by the attachment of a two-piece housing
body 12 and a cap 14. The housing body 12 is a hollow, annular
component formed with upper and lower, open, cylindrical ends (or
downstream and upstream ends, respectively) 16, 18 on either side
of a larger-diameter middle section 20 where the upper and lower
ends 16, 18 are joined in telescoping fashion at 22 and secured by
screws 24 or other suitable fasteners. For ease of understanding,
use of descriptors "upper" and "lower" herein are made consistently
with the exemplary but nonlimiting orientation of the pressure
regulator as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Use of descriptors "upstream"
and downstream" is made relative to the direction of flow through
the pressure regulators as indicated by flow arrow "F".
[0012] The downstream end 16 as housing body 12 is also telescoped
into a depending skirt portion 26 of the cap 14 with a snap fit
between a radially-outwardly directed annular flange 28 (continuous
or segmented) on the outside of the downstream end 16 and an
annular groove 30 located internally of the skirt portion 26 of the
cap 14. It will be appreciated, however, the attachment features on
the downstream end 16 and skirt portion 26 may include any
conventional attachment mechanism including a press-and-turn
bayonet-type fitting, screw fasteners or other suitable
arrangements. Moreover, the exact manner of fastening the cap 14 to
the downstream end 16 of the housing body 12, and the downstream
end 16 of the housing body 12 to the upstream end 18 are not
significant to this invention so long as they are designed to
withstand the high fluid pressure within the regulator unit. The
upstream or lower end 18 of the housing body 12 is formed with a
threaded inlet that receives, for example, an adapter 32 permitting
attachment of the pressure regulator to a water-supply conduit,
sprinkler riser or the like. Similarly, the cap 14 tapers from the
relatively larger diameter peripheral skirt portion 26 to an
internally-threaded and relatively smaller-diameter outlet end or
outlet 34, adapted for connection to a water supply conduit, drop
hose or the like. It will be understood that the regulator flow
path extends along a longitudinal axis or center line CL passing
through the inlet (or adapter) 32, a tubular plunger body 40
described further below, and the outlet 34.
[0013] A valve seat 36 is supported in the upstream end 18 of the
housing body 12 below an annular flange 38, and centered relative
to the longitudinal axis. The seat 36 is preferably supported by a
single radially-oriented strut (not shown) connected to the
cylindrical valve housing 37, and is engageable by a tubular
plunger body 40 that passes through a center opening 42 defined by
the annular flange 38 in the lower end 18 of the lower housing body
12 and a counterbore 39 (FIG. 2) in the cap 14.
[0014] The elongated tubular plunger body 40 is formed with an
upper end 44 and a lower end 46. The lower end 46 is formed with a
tapered knife edge 48 that serves as a valve, adapted to engage the
seat 36 as explained further below. An O-ring seal 47 is seated
about the inner periphery of the opening in the annular flange 38
and is held in place by a retainer ring 49. The seal 47 prevents
ingress of water into the interior of the housing body.
[0015] An annular radial flange 50 is formed at a location below
the upper end 44 of the plunger body 40. The flange 50 is formed
with a plurality of depending, resilient spring fingers 52 arranged
about the tubular plunger body 40, each having a radially outwardly
extending support tab 54 at its lowermost end.
[0016] The radial flange 50 also supports an upstanding annular
wall 56 located concentrically and radially outwardly relative to
the plunger body 40. The wall 56 is formed with a radially
outwardly extending rim 58. The wall 56 and rim 58 may be
discontinuous, i.e., formed as plural, circumferentially-spaced
resilient segments.
[0017] A control or pressure-regulating diaphragm 60 is arranged
radially between the tubular plunger body 40 and the cap 14.
Specifically, an enlarged radially inner end 62 of the diaphragm 60
is sandwiched between an annular retention ring 64 and the flange
50. The retention ring 64 is held in place by the rim 58 of the
upstanding annular wall 56 and by a shoulder 65 of the cap 14. The
radially outer end 66 of the diaphragm is sandwiched between a
radial flange portion 68 of the cap 14 and a second annular
retention ring 70 held in place by the upper edge 72 of the
downstream end 16 of the housing body 12. The second annular
retention ring 70 is provided with an annular groove 74 in which
the enlarged radially outer end 66 of the diaphragm is
received.
[0018] During operation, the pressure of the water flowing in the
direction of flow arrow F through the tubular plunger body 40 and
exiting the outlet end 34 will be applied to the upper or
downstream side of the control diaphragm 60 by way of a radial
space between the upper end 44 of the tubular plunger body 40 and
the adjacent counterbore 39 formed in the cap 14. The water is able
to follow a path about the annular wall 56 and one or more radial
grooves or vents (not shown) in the ring 64 (and/or in the shoulder
76) into the control diaphragm chamber 78. Water pressure in the
control diaphragm chamber 78 will tend to push the tubular plunger
body 40 in a downward direction, causing the knife edge 48 to
approach the valve seat 36, thus reducing flow. The force exerted
on the tubular plunger body 40 via the control diaphragm 60 is
opposed by a force exerted by a coil spring 80 seated on the upper
surface 82 of flange 38, and pushing upwardly against the underside
of the plunger body radial flange 50. Thus, as is well understood
in the art, as outlet water pressure varies, the tubular plunger
body 40 will be caused to move toward or away from the seat 36 to
thereby decrease or increase flow through the regulator, with the
plunger body 40 always seeking a state of equilibrium where the
outlet pressure is substantially constant.
[0019] This invention relates to the addition of a remote shut-off
feature to the pressure regulator 10 that allows a user to stop
flow through the pressure regulator independently of the pressure
regulation function from a remote location.
[0020] Specifically, the larger-diameter middle section 20 permits
the inclusion of a second or shut-off diaphragm 84 and associated
shut-off diaphragm chamber 86 (sometimes referred to herein as a
"pressure chamber") that enable a remote device, such as a solenoid
(under the control of a microprocessor or other control device) to
shut off the pressure regulator independently of its primary
pressure control function. To this end, an interior, substantially
cylindrical actuator sleeve 88 is supported from the support tabs
54 of the spring fingers 52. The upper end of the sleeve 88 is
formed with an inward directed rim 90 that is seated on the tabs
54. Radially adjacent the rim 90, an O-ring 92 is seated in an
annular, outwardly-facing groove 94, creating a seal between the
sleeve 88 and the inside surface 96 of the downstream end 16 of the
housing body 12. Adjacent the lower end of the sleeve 88 there is
an outwardly-directed flange 98, supporting a larger-diameter,
depending skirt 102. The lower end of the skirt 102 is formed with
an outwardly-oriented shoulder 104. A second retention ring 106 is
supported on the shoulder 104 and serves to clamp a radially-inner
end 108 of the shut-off diaphragm 84 between the retention ring 106
and the outer edge 100 of flange 98. The radially-outer end 110 of
the shut-off diaphragm 84 is held in place by the compressive force
exerted by the edge 112 of an inner sleeve portion 114 of the
upstream end 18 of the housing body 12 and an opposed shoulder 116
of the downstream end 16 of the lower housing body 12. Note the
chamfer on edge 112 that provides the space necessary to
accommodate the wedge-shaped inner end of the shut-off diaphragm
84.
[0021] The space above the shut-off diaphragm 84 provides the
shut-off diaphragm chamber 86, sealed at one end by the shut-off
diaphragm 84 and at an opposite end by the O-ring 92. A fluid
(water or air) inlet port 118 leading to the shut-off diaphragm
chamber 86, extends through the downstream end 16 in the middle
section 20, and supplies pressurized fluid to the chamber 86 via
conduit 120 (FIG. 1). The flow of pressurized fluid is controlled
by a three-way solenoid 122 which, in turn, is controlled by a
processor or other controller 124. The three-way solenoid 122 has
three ports. One is connected to the chamber 86; one is vented to
atmosphere; and the third is connected to a pressurized fluid
source.
[0022] When it is desired to shut off flow through the pressure
regulator 10, the user initiates the supply of pressurized fluid to
the pressure chamber 86. The fluid pressure acting on the flange 98
drives the actuator sleeve 88 and tubular plunger body 40
downwardly until the knife edge 48 engages the seat 36, thereby
shutting off all flow through the regulator as shown in FIG. 2.
Note that the connection between the rim 90 of the actuator sleeve
88 and the tabs 54 on the spring fingers 52 form a one-way driving
connection between the actuator sleeve 88 and the tubular plunger
body 40.
[0023] To resume flow, the solenoid 122 is vented to atmosphere,
allowing fluid to escape the pressure chamber 86 as the coil spring
80 pushes the tubular plunger body 40 in an opposite or upward
direction, also pulling the actuator sleeve 88 upwardly to the
position shown in FIG. 1. Absent pressure in the chamber 86, the
driving connection between the actuator sleeve 88 and the tubular
plunger body 40 is broken. This is because there is no fixed
connection between the actuator sleeve 88 and the plunger body 40,
and because the actuator sleeve 88 will remain in its upper or open
position as the tubular plunger body 40 moves down and up in
response to the fluid pressure in the control diaphragm chamber
78.
[0024] It will be appreciated that the downward axial movement of
the tubular plunger body 40 in a valve shut-off procedure is
limited by the downward stroke of the actuator sleeve 88. This
downward stroke is matched to the closing distance between the
knife edge 48 of the plunger body 40 and the valve seat 36.
[0025] It will also be appreciated that as the tubular plunger body
40 moves up and down during normal use, and with the actuator
sleeve 88 held in its open or uppermost position, there is no
interference with the pressure regulation function.
[0026] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *